Rangers looking for a third baseman

The Rangers No. 1 priority this off-season is pitching. That's usually the case. But they could also use a third baseman.

The rundown:

* Hank Blalock (right) has been the Rangers Opening Day third baseman for the past seven years. But his shoulder problems over the past two seasons have left him without the necessary arm strength to play the position. The Rangers picked up his $6.2 million option with the idea of using him at designated hitter in 2009. He's out at third base.

* Chris Davis was the Rangers third baseman at the end of last season. The Rangers though feel he is better suited to play first base. That's where he'll likely be in 2009.

* There has been talk of moving Michael Young to third base and bring up shortstop prodigy Elvis Andrus. But Andrus probably needs another year at Triple A before he is ready. Young also just won a Gold Glove at shortstop and is adamantly opposed to switching positions. The Gold Glove reinforces his position. Don't look for him to move anytime soon.

* Travis Metcalf is the Rangers best inhouse candidate but he missed two months this past season because of a torn hanstring muscle. That prevented him from getting a shot when Blalock missed 21/2 months in the first half because of injuries. The Rangers aren't comfortable with turning over the spot to Metcalf without exploring other options.

* The Rangers don't appear to have the money to spend on the top free agent third basemen: Casey Blake and Joe Crede. That is, unless their asking price falls.

* General manager Jon Daniels said they have had discussions with other clubs. The Padres may be willing to trade Kevin Kouzmanoff with the idea of moving Chase Headley back to third base. But the Rangers don't seem particularly interested in Kouzmanoff. They like Headley but don't think the Padres would trade him.

* The Reds might be willing to trade Edwin Encarnacion but the Rangers aren't too thrilled by his defense. He made 23 errors last year.

-- T.R. Sullivan.